Dear Derick,
On the fifth day of your eleventh week, you should focus on understanding and using idiomatic expressions in English. Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the words themselves, and they are commonly used in everyday English conversations.
Friday:
Morning:
- Learn Idioms: Study a list of common English idiomatic expressions. For example, “a piece of cake” (something very easy), “break the ice” (to initiate conversation in a social setting), or “hit the nail on the head” (to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem).
- Create Examples: Write sentences using each idiom to practice and understand how they are used in context.
Afternoon:
- Practice Conversation: Have a free conversation with me or a study partner, trying to naturally incorporate the idioms you’ve learned. This could be a casual chat about your week or plans for the weekend.
- Idiom Usage Feedback: After the conversation, we will review the idioms used and discuss any corrections or improvements in their usage.
Verification of Study Results:
- Idiom Usage Review: We will assess your ability to use idioms correctly in context during our conversation.
- Written Exercise: You may be asked to write a short story or dialogue that includes several idioms, which will then be reviewed for accuracy.
Learning idioms will help you sound more like a native speaker and improve your ability to understand English in various contexts, including movies, TV shows, and conversations with native speakers.
For Day 5 of Week 11, focusing on idiomatic expressions, here are some recommended study materials and methods to enhance your learning:
- Online Resources for Idiomatic Expressions:
- Search for websites or YouTube channels dedicated to English learning, specifically those that cover idiomatic expressions. These resources often provide explanations, example sentences, and sometimes even short quizzes to test your understanding.
- Essential English Review:
- Websites like Essential English Review offer structured vocabulary and idiom learning plans. For example, their “Week 11 - Day 3” might not directly match idiomatic expressions but exploring similar structured learning resources can provide a disciplined approach to expanding your vocabulary, including idioms[3].
- Interactive Learning Apps:
- Consider using apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise, which often include lessons on idiomatic expressions as part of their language courses. These apps make learning fun and engaging through gamification.
- Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT):
- TPT offers resources like “Vocabulary Word Study: Word of the Week- Weeks 11-20,” which, while focused on vocabulary, can be a useful format for learning idioms as well. You can adapt the “word of the week” idea to study an “idiom of the week,” creating your own organizer to include the idiom, its meaning, and example sentences[5].
- Practice with Native Speakers:
- Engage in conversation practice with native English speakers, either in person or through language exchange websites and apps. Try to use the idioms you’ve learned in context, and ask for feedback on your usage.
- Keep a Journal:
- Write down new idiomatic expressions you come across, along with their meanings and example sentences. Review this journal regularly to reinforce your learning.
- Watch English Media:
- Watching movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos in English can expose you to idiomatic expressions used in various contexts. Note down any idioms you hear and look up their meanings afterward.
Best regards, Professor Judy
Citations: [1] https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vocabulary-Word-Study-Word-of-the-Week-Weeks-11-20-1496594 [2] https://www.essentialenglish.review/apps/barrons-1100-words-you-need-to-know/week-11-day-3/